Gardai began an investigation yesterday into an allegation by a parents' representative that he was assaulted by a delegate attending the ASTI convention in Galway.
The PRO of the National Parents Council (Post Primary), Mr Pat Herlihy, alleged he was attacked by a male teacher who gave him a blow on the side of the nose when he entered the bar of the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, where the convention is taking place, early yesterday morning.
He said the blow had come "from nowhere" when he stood at the bar shortly after midnight to get milk and snacks for his room.
"I was hit hard enough to move my head sideways," he said, adding that his assailant immediately apologised and said he didn't mean to hit or hurt him.
The alleged incident came one day after the president of the parents' council, Ms Marie Danaswamy, claimed she had been verbally attacked on six occasions at the convention.
All incidents have been reported to the ASTI. Mr Herlihy was interviewed by two detectives yesterday afternoon after he made a formal complaint to gardai at Galway's Mill Street station. They took a statement from him.
ASTI's general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, said the assault was a matter for the Garda to investigate rather than the ASTI because it was an act of violence. He appealed to any member of the union who witnessed the alleged incident to co-operate with the gardai.
He said the approach of the parents' council to all the incidents had "not been responsible or fair" because it had gone to the media first with its allegations rather than to the ASTI.
He added that the ASTI was opposed to violent and abusive behaviour in all circumstances. "The ASTI believes there is a responsibility on all representatives of teachers, parents or other education partners to behave towards each other with respect and dignity at this very difficult and challenging time." Mr Herlihy said he did not know the name of his alleged assailant but would be able to identify him to the Garda.
"I'm forced to ask myself the question, do members of the NPCPP have to have bodyguards now to attend ASTI conventions? It's absolutely ridiculous.
"I have made this a public issue because I believe it is just one step too far in terms of bullying and intimidation. If this kind of behaviour is left to go unchecked, where does it end?" The irony of it was, he said, that the council wanted to help and support teachers and had been invited to the convention to do this.